Drive is the platform's document library. It provides a centralised place to store, organise, and distribute documents to your team and to users of the Pilot App. From operational manuals and regulatory notices to training materials and briefing documents, Drive keeps everything in one structured location.
Who this module is for
Drive is available to administrators and flight instructors. Administrators typically manage the folder structure, upload documents, and monitor revision status. Flight instructors use Drive to access the documents they need and, depending on permissions, to upload or update files as well.
What Drive offers
Drive goes beyond simple file storage. It provides a set of capabilities designed for organisations that need to manage documents with care:
- Folder structure -- organise documents into a logical hierarchy of folders. A well-planned folder structure makes it easy for everyone to find what they need.
- Document upload -- add files to any folder with a description and an optional expiration date.
- Revision tracking -- see which revision of a document is current and follow changes over time.
- Validity and expiration -- set expiration dates on documents so you can track which files are still valid and which need attention.
- View history -- confirm which relations have opened a document and when they last viewed it.
- Preview -- view many common file types directly in the browser without downloading.
- Shared access -- documents published in Drive are also accessible through the Pilot App, so field users and pilots can reach the files they need from their mobile devices.
Why folder structure matters from the start
The folder structure you create in Drive becomes the navigation path for everyone who uses the library, including Pilot App users. Reorganising folders after hundreds of documents have been uploaded is time-consuming and can break existing references. Take the time to plan a logical structure before you begin uploading.
Consider organising by:
- Topic or subject area (e.g., Safety, Operations, Training)
- Department or team
- Aircraft type
- Audience (e.g., documents for all staff versus documents for specific roles)
Getting started
- Open Drive from the main navigation.
- Plan your top-level folder structure before uploading any documents.
- Create the folders you need.
- Begin uploading documents into the appropriate folders, adding descriptions and expiration dates where applicable.
Where to go next
The Drive documentation is split into two pages that cover the main ways you work in the module:
- Folders and search -- navigating the folder structure, browsing the document list, and finding files quickly.
- Document control -- uploading files, managing revisions and validity, previewing documents, and reviewing view history.
Good practice
- Plan your folder structure before you start uploading. Changing it later is disruptive.
- Use clear, descriptive names for both folders and documents. Abbreviations that make sense today may confuse new team members later.
- Set expiration dates on documents that have a limited validity period. This makes it easy to spot files that need renewal.
- Review Drive periodically to remove obsolete documents. A clean library is more useful than a large one.
- Remember that documents in Drive are shared with the Pilot App. Consider the end-user experience when naming and organising files.